State and local officials in Georgia tracking expected impact of Hurricane Ian

ATLANTA — As Severe Weather Team 2 tracks Hurricane Ian, local communities are also keeping an eye on the team’s forecast so they can be prepared.

Channel 2′s Veronica Griffin was out on Monday working to learn how some local officials are prepping for the storm.

Channel 2 Action News saw utility crews heading toward the storm in Florida to help out if needed.

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Out-of-state power company trucks were spotted Monday evening passing along the downtown connector, with those crews likely on the way to help out in Florida.

Meanwhile, in Georgia state and its counties, leaders are gearing for Ian’s impact locally.

“Obviously at this point, we’re concerned,” Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts said.

Fulton County leaders are so concerned about Hurricane Ian that they said they’re in touch with FEMA and are monitoring reports out of Florida.

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“We’re anticipating things based on the reports we’re getting there could be a problem on Thursday, certainly on Friday so we’re getting prepared,” Pitts said to Channel 2 Action News.

Also gearing up for Ian’s impact on Georgia is GEMA Director James Stalling.

In a press conference with Gov. Brian Kemp, Stallings laid out some of the emergency plans in place for the state.

“For this particular event because it’s so widespread, it’s going to cover most of south Georgia. There, we do have units in the Macon area ready to deploy,” he said.

Both state and county leaders say that while they’re preparing for Ian, they’re also preparing for the likely influx of Floridians needing a place to call home for a while.

“We’re prepared from an emergency management point of view but more importantly handling and accommodating for people who are worried about their safety and being proactive to leave Florida and come to Georgia from Florida, specifically to Fulton County,” Pitts told Channel 2 Action News.

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Georgia prepares for impact from Hurricane Ian

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